MNL20-2ND

Chapter 71-Electronics

FAILURE IN ELECTRONICS DUE TO corrosion has become a significant factor because of the extremely complex systems (microchips, integrated circuits, computers, etc.) that have been developed and the increasing demand on their reliability. Electronics are now a part of all industries, ranging from transportation industries to medical and consumer products. Technological advances have resulted in the development of sophisticated components with closer spacing so that extremely low levels of corrosive contaminants can cause failure. Testing for this type of behavior is difficult and costly. Further advances in electronics can only be made where corrosion issues are addressed and reliability is maintained. Many publications have appeared in the technical literature on the subject of corrosion in electronics with more and more emphasis on testing [1-10].